1 Kings 8:9

There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone which Moses put there [ Exodus 25:16 ; Exodus 40:20 ; Deuteronomy 10:5 . This statement appears to be at variance with Hebrews 9:4 , which mentions "the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded," as in the ark, along with "the tables of the covenant." And it is to be observed that, while our text excludes these relics from the ark ( temp . Solomon), no other scripture save that just cited expressly includes them. In Exodus 16:34 and Numbers 17:1-13 :25 (Heb. A.V 17:10) they are commanded to be laid up "before the testimony," words which no doubt may mean, as they were long interpreted to mean, "before the tables of testimony in the ark"—observe, the words are "before the testimony, " not "before the ark " — but which are now generally thought to import "in front of the ark which con-rained the testimony." We know the book of the law was put "at the side ( מִחַּד ) of the ark" ( Deuteronomy 31:26 ), and hence it is held by some that the golden pot, etc; occupied a similar position. It seems preferable, however, considering the distinct statement of St. Paul, or the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, which, to say the least, embodies Jewish tradition, to adhere to the ancient interpretation that the golden pot of manna and Aaron's rod were in the ark. And this in no wise conflicts with the statement of the text, for these treasures might well have been removed by the Philistines, whose first thought, we may be sure, would be to open their new acquisition. It is not improbable, indeed, that the object of the men of Bethshemesh in looking into the ark was to see whether these treasures were still there. For if the golden pot ever was in the ark, we can hardly suppose it would escape the rapacity of the Philistines, who would leave the two tables of stone as things of no value. Indeed, it is just possible that the trespass offering, the golden mice, etc; were designed as a return for the golden pot which had been removed. And the statement of the text, "there was nothing," etc; almost implies that there had been something there at one time (see Alford on Hebrews 9:4 ). It seem probable, therefore, that the golden pot and Aaron's rod were originally deposited "before the testimony" in the ark; that they were removed during its captivity ( 1 Samuel 5:6 .); and that the sacrilege was discovered at Bethshemesh ( 1 Samuel 6:19 ). This last mentioned episode explains how it came to be known that "there was nothing," etc. It is hardly likely after that memorable visitation that Solomon could have opened the ark and taken out the two relics, as Rawlinson suggests. Nor have we any warrant for the view that the mercy seat, with the cherubs, was removed to make way for a new lid without them, and so the interior of the ark was disclosed to view (Stanley) ] at Horeb [See Exodus 3:1 ; Exodus 17:6 ; Exodus 33:6 ; 1 Kings 19:8 . This name, which means dry ground, desert , would appear to have belonged to two or three different places in the wilderness. But as the name of the place where the law was given and the covenant with God made ( Deuteronomy 4:10 , Deuteronomy 4:13 ) it became subsequently a nomen generale for the whole of the Sinaitic region. Here the mount of the law is clearly meant] when [Heb. which, אֲשֶׁר is occasionally found in the sense of quum, as in Deuteronomy 11:6 ; Psalms 139:15 ; 2 Chronicles 35:20 ; of. 1 Kings 9:10 (Gesen; Thessalonians, s.v.) ] the Lord made a covenant [Heb. cut ; see note on 1 Kings 5:12 . בְּרִית is to be understood. Same ellipsis in 1 Samuel 20:16 ; 1 Samuel 22:8 ] with the children of Israel when they came [Heb. in their coming ] out of the land of Egypt. [ Exodus 34:27 , Exodus 34:28 ; Deuteronomy 4:13 .]